Time to take our University back

October 20, 2014

Dear Students, Colleagues, Alumni and Friends:

Today I met with the chiefs of police from Morgantown and the
University, along with fire officials, the city manager, and West
Virginia University and student leaders concerning the unacceptable and
destructive behavior that occurred Saturday night following our football
team’s outstanding win over a highly-ranked Baylor team.

We all are extremely disappointed, frustrated and angry that a
minority of students, and others who joined in, diverted the attention
from the team’s achievement to inexcusable and lawless actions.

This is not how Mountaineers behave. And we will not condone such
behavior by allowing individuals to remain on our campus who demean the
reputation and achievements of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and
community.

Let me be clear: This is criminal behavior and individuals involved
in setting fires, overturning trash bins or throwing objects at first
responders WILL be held accountable. There is
zero tolerance for this type of criminal and unruly behavior. Our
Student Code of Conduct is clear on these matters and so is the law. We
currently are reviewing the arrest records, as well as the videos and
social media posts, to identify students involved. For those identified
as participating in criminal activities, we will take swift and
immediate disciplinary action — and for many, that will result in
expulsion from this institution.

University and City Police are also encouraging anyone who can
further identify any individual who was criminal or reckless to share
that information with them, along with any social postings or photos by
calling 304-293-COPS.

Let me state again that participation in criminal activities will
result in immediate consequences. We will have zero tolerance for such
behavior. But as we deal with the situation at hand, we also must look
and move forward.

As Mountaineers, all of us MUST insist on a
safe, healthy environment in and out of the classroom for our students.
To do this, we must change the culture of West Virginia University. We
must collectively — students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans — reject the
reputation of our past and instill and embrace the reputation that is
our future. And to do that, we must do four things.

First, we must engage students as our partners. Most were equally
outraged and concerned at the actions of Saturday night — actions that do
not accurately represent the student body as a whole. We have bright,
capable student leaders on our campus who can help inform University
leadership how to implement effective change. Today I met with many of
our student leaders and they have been charged with creating solutions
that will positively affect the culture at West Virginia University. We
need and value their leadership.

Second, we will expect everyone to take personal responsibility for
their actions. From students to alumni to fans, those who celebrate
irresponsibly affect not only their futures, but also the future of this
University and its reputation on a national scale. Those students who
act in criminal behavior will be removed from this institution. Others
who act irresponsibly will face disciplinary measures. As a member of
the West Virginia University family, each one of us represents this
institution. I ask that you remember that your actions reflect upon this
University and its reputation. Let us each always put our best foot
forward — and help remind others to do the same.

Third, we will continue to examine the national crisis of alcohol
abuse among our young people. The University has many programs and
activities in place to support our students, and those must continue. We
must also continue to work with our city leaders to make this a
community-wide partnership in caring for the health and well-being of
our students and community. The issue of underage drinking and abusive
behavior is a broad and challenging one. But in a spirit of cooperation,
we can begin to create the necessary conversations and partnerships
that will have a positive impact on our students and our community as a
whole.

And fourth, our Mountaineer family needs to envision our future as
an institution. We need to support this institution in our words and in
our actions. Your input as to strategies we can implement to take this
institution to a level of eminence is critical. I am proud to report
that on Sunday our students started a social media campaign centered
around being a respectful Mountaineer (#RespectfulMountaineer). I have
been impressed with the response, but we need to do more. I encourage
you to send me your thoughts and ideas as to how we as a campus
community can actively support the change needed to help West Virginia
University rise.

And that is what we will do: we will rise above this. Just as our
fine football players and coaches did on Saturday to accomplish a truly
electric and spectacular moment in our team’s history, we will work
together to raise this institution and our community to a new level.